A gripping, heart-stopping book with a woman killer's point of view! I've never read anything like this and what a treat! It reminds of "Dexter" series and I love it!

You won't think a successful girl like Cordelia who works as a pharma rep, who wears expensive clothes and shoes would be a serial killer. Anyways, she doesn't like to be called a serial killer but a person who has "a greater power that has sanctioned her to deliver vengeance to monsters and justice to victims." Her killing style is flawless and well planned and you would think she will be caught but there's no body. The hiding body part is genius. Everything in her life is perfect, she takes control of her life until her bestfriend's boyfriend came, Simon. Cordelia is confuse whether he is a monster or just an A-hole. But everything went sideways from there.

First of all, the POV is chef's kiss. I love how you can only see the point of view of a killer. It's interesting how Cordelia thinks, plans and executes her killing. Sometimes she is also funny which I like.

The plot is engaging that sometimes I stop reading because I don't want to know what will happen to Cordelia. The book is already interesting in the beginning because of the killer's point of view but it escalates at half of the book. The time when somebody saw her killing and disposing the body. It was hair-rising! Then the panic and chaos Cordelia felt with her current situation. She was a mess but she handled it somehow. Everything keep on intensifying and there's no stopping until the end! It's a roller coaster experience and I love it.

The ending was satisfying to me. The incident that happen with Dianne and how she reacted to knowing the truth. Then the news about the so called serial killer. I think everything is executed well. Overall this is such a fun and great read! It's been awhile since I have an interesting read and I'm glad I picked this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the Advance Reading Copy.

Cordelia Black is a successful, sharp-witted woman… who also happens to be a serial killer with a strict moral code. She keeps her double life in check with careful planning—until chaos creeps in through work drama, a suspicious new boyfriend, and one very annoying dog.

This debut thriller by Emma C. Wells had me hooked. Cordelia gives major Dexter-meets-Joe-Goldberg energy—but as a fierce, loyal woman who’ll do anything to protect her chosen family. Fast-paced, darkly funny, and full of twists!

This book was such a fun read. It gave me major “Dexter Vibes” and I loved it! Things were going good until they weren’t. Then it was pure chaos that was wrapped up nicely with a bow at the very end. The only question I have is, what happened with McSmiley? And why he didn’t follow up with Cordelia?

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

Really enjoyed this book. A different take on being a female serial killer. Will read this author again

This Girl's a Killer is a quirky, fast-paced mystery with a unique protagonist and a bold narrative voice. Emma C. Wells delivers a fun, if somewhat uneven, debut that blends dark humor with crime fiction in a way that’s clearly meant to stand out.

The main character is refreshingly offbeat and brings a sarcastic, unconventional perspective to the story. There are clever moments and unexpected turns that kept me reading, and the tone sets it apart from more traditional mysteries.

That said, I gave it 3 stars because while the premise had promise, the execution didn’t always land. The plot felt a bit scattered at times, and some character motivations weren’t as fleshed out as they could’ve been. It occasionally seemed like style was prioritized over substance.

Still, readers looking for something different in the mystery genre—especially with a sharp, edgy tone—may find this an entertaining ride. A solid debut with room to grow.

Absolutely WILD!! Lots of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, which is what I really love and enjoy when reading a suspenseful thriller! I thought the pacing was well done, the writing was perfect, and the plot was solid!

Thanks Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC! This was such a good read - I was entertained the whole that I was reading the book. The twists and turns kept me flipping through the pages and it resulted in quite a quick read!

Really well done! Dexter x Promising Young Woman vibes. The main girl and her bestie give very gay vibes. I love how the narrative subtly starts shifting and manipulating to justify her actions.

Really interesting voice throughout.
I was stressed during the book, trying to figure out how on earth main character was going to untangle the mess she put herself in.

Hope this becomes a show or movie sometime. This and My Sister the Serial Killer are some of the best woman serial killer formats

This book had some intriguing moments and a compelling concept, but I found myself wanting a bit more depth. The plot kept me hooked occasionally, though parts of it felt a tad predictable. The characters, especially the protagonist, are interesting but could’ve been more fleshed out. Overall, it's an OK read. Entertaining enough if you're into thrillers, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Cordelia is a pharmaceutical rep by day and a killer by night, hunting down men who have evaded justice until she comes to kill them. This was such a good plot. Very unique story that's different to anything else I've read. I look forward to more of Wells' work.

This was such and entertaining book! I didn't see the twists coming, a real killer thriller! I would recommend this book to those who lie aquick popcorn read.

Are we sure this is a debut novel, and not something from an established author? I was hooked from the start.

This book is dark, but it definitely has it's comedic moments.

I have never watched Dexter, so I cannot speak to the comparison of the characters. But it was an enjoyable, if a bit gory, read.

If How to Kill Men and Get Away with It and Dexter had a sharply dressed, charming cousin who worked in pharma sales — her name would be Cordelia Black.

By day, Cordelia is a top-tier pharmaceutical rep; by night, she doles out her own form of justice to the corrupt and cruel. She’s not your typical serial killer. She’s social, successful, has great taste in fashion, and happens to be a godmother. But when her best friend falls for a man Cordelia suspects is hiding something sinister, and her career starts to unravel, things get messy fast.

This book was pure fun. Fast-paced, darkly witty, and highly entertaining, it leans more into the "can she get away with it?" angle than the actual vigilante kills, which was fun. It's always enjoyable reading about a perfectly put together women slowly unraveling but them taking control back. If you’re hoping for detailed Dexter-style stalking and dispatching, you won’t get as much of that here. But you will get a flawed anti-heroine navigating a double life with increasing tension and complications.

While the suspense wasn’t as intense as I’d hoped, the twist at the end was good. It's not a gritty thriller, but it is a clever, stylish cat-and-mouse story that doesn't take itself too seriously. Perfect for readers who enjoy morally gray women, sly humor, and justice with a splash of glam. For my Finlay Donovan fans, this one is perfect.

This Girl's a Killer is out now. Huge thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
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An intense and freaky true crime story with some pretty detailed gore! I was definitely hooked throughout the book and was invested in each one of the surprise moments and twists! The ending felt a bit rushed and too "perfect" and the pacing felt a bit off at times. Overall I think this is a good option for thriller lovers who want to try out horror!

LOVED this book! This book really highlights making your own family when yours isn't so great and women really standing up for each other.

Cordelia reminded me of a female Dextor. This story was creative and interesting. I was entertained the whole time.
I didn’t understand the whole “smoke in the monster’s eyes” thing, and the ending felt wrapped up quickly to me. But for the most part this was a dark comedy version of You with a female lead.

2 stars

Thanks to the publisher for a #ARC in return for an honest review.

Well, I am disappointed by this! It was described as a mix of female Dexter with some comedic aspects. While yes, the FMC was dark and twisted, I found this book to be annoying, repetitive, and a chore to get through. Is Cordelia the only one in this book with any common sense? Why does she have to babysit a grown woman and her child. I also felt like she was in love with her friend...? The actions of these characters were just irritating, naive, and not funny. The ending too was just all over the place.

Although I would describe this as a thriller, it does have a light hearted side to it, so even if you don't like 'Serial Killer' novels, I think you would enjoy this. It is very clever how the Author has managed to create a Serial Killer that one can't help but like. I loved the relationship between Cordelia and Diane. Although somewhat possessive over her friend, you can see Cordelias actions are all done out of genuine love. Although not close to a Gresham,this is definitely an easy read, page turner .

When I began this book it didn’t go in the direction I thought it would. Which is great, I love a bit more of an original story line. Although at times I found the main character creepily obsessive over her best friend it was an over all good read